'Insect Destroyer' Fungus Turns Flies Into Zombies

August 10, 2018 - Fruit flies are a nuisance to most people. It can be hard to find sympathy for creatures that are known to terrorize kitchens. A new study details the terror a fruit fly experiences when it’s invaded by a fungus called the “insect destroyer”. This study may bring the fruit fly a little sympathy. The fungus starts by consuming the fly’s hemolymph, which is like blood in invertebrates. Then it feeds on the fat cells. After the unsolicited liposuction, the fungus then begins controlling the fly’s mind. The fungus forces the fly to climb up something nearby and push out their proboscis so the fungus can glue them to the floor. The fly will then be forced to lift its wings in a steep upward angle. The fungus then ejects its spores at 20 miles per hour. If the fly climbed high enough on the nearby surface, the fungus has the potential to spread really far … and the fungus may get picked up by another fly.

'Insect Destroyer' Fungus Turns Flies Into Zombies

August 10, 2018 - Fruit flies are a nuisance to most people. It can be hard to find sympathy for creatures that are known to terrorize kitchens. A new study details the terror a fruit fly experiences when it’s invaded by a fungus called the “insect destroyer”. This study may bring the fruit fly a little sympathy. The fungus starts by consuming the fly’s hemolymph, which is like blood in invertebrates. Then it feeds on the fat cells. After the unsolicited liposuction, the fungus then begins controlling the fly’s mind. The fungus forces the fly to climb up something nearby and push out their proboscis so the fungus can glue them to the floor. The fly will then be forced to lift its wings in a steep upward angle. The fungus then ejects its spores at 20 miles per hour. If the fly climbed high enough on the nearby surface, the fungus has the potential to spread really far … and the fungus may get picked up by another fly.